The Advocacy Network on Disabilities champions the rights of individuals with intellectual, developmental, and otherdisabilities by promoting inclusion, providing services, and advancing systems change.  Services fall into 3 primary areas: capacity building/training/coaching of professionals to include children with disabilities in community programs; family support services wich span the range of case management and care coordination from brokered (information, referrals, limited time support) to more intensive, comprehensive interventions using a trauma-informed, strength bsed care model within a strengthening families frameworkl and systems advocacy that works to change policices, rules and laws that determine how supports and services are provided, and to provide puvlic education and promote positive attidudes about individuals with disabilites.  We support individuals from 0-99 years old, their families , and other professionals working with them.  First year MSW students will have the opportunity to learn and practive skills such as assessment, engagement, resource research and development, active listening, outreach, and shadowing Master level staff.  Second year clinical placement students will additionally conduct home and school visits, n conjunction with families, develop and implement care plans, provide parent education, facilitate support groups, and participate in interdisciplinary and interagency meetings.  Those choosing the administrative or policy option, will have a wide range of activities from which to choose, depending on their specific area of interest.  From the administrative point of view, there is the opportunity to delve into staff supervision, leadership, budgeting, grant-writing, working with major funders, Board development, and more.  For those wishing to work in the public policy aream there are opportunites for communitiy organizing (of familes around advocacy issues, for example), working with legislators, elected and agnecy officials, major funders, etc.)

The agency is accepting MSW, MSW 2nd year and Advanced Standing students for Social Leadership on a full and part time basis.  For 1st year students working primarily in-office, transportation is not essential.  For others, working in the community, it is.  Local mileage is reimbursed, but no stipends are available.  The ability to video or audio tape is entirely dependent on the wishes of the client, and the execution of appropriate consents and releases.  Liability insurance is not required.  The agency is open during typical working hours (M-F; 8am-5pm), but psychoeducational groups and other meetings with families occur at times that are convenient for them, and will involve some weekends or evening.  The agency is accessible by bus within the confines of Miami-Dade County's city limited public transportation system.